Apr

About the work of an event manager. Is it really that easy?

Attention to detail is crucial in the work of an event manager: contractors, guests, celebrities, logistics, and numerous approvals — all of this is on their shoulders, and sometimes a very small mistake can lead to a major failure.

There has been quite a bit written about the profession of an event manager: they talk about the special character traits that specialists should possess and what their work entails. But what does the flip side of the image of a sociable and active professional in the field hide? event planning?

Perfectionists and pedants

Attention to detail is crucial in the work of an event manager: contractors, guests, celebrities, logistics, and numerous approvals — all of this is on their shoulders, and sometimes a very small mistake can lead to a major failure. But even here, it is possible and necessary to find the right balance that many specialists fail to achieve. There is a very fine line between being meticulous and having an obsessive desire to control everything.

Trying to keep all aspects of the process in mind, then not being able to sleep or eat due to worry and tension, getting used to a slightly twitching eye — these are common side effects of the profession. Fortunately, they are not mandatory. Experienced specialists advise learning to work as a team, and first and foremost, not working but trusting your team. Also important is finding a way to quickly "let off steam" in order not to burn out and make it through the entire event. But even here, it turns out that it's not all that simple: you finally trust your team, know how to meditate while riding in an elevator, but in 90% of cases, everything still doesn't go according to plan. And it is precisely at this moment that the entire professionalism of an event manager is revealed — being able to quickly find a solution and come up with an immediate way out of the situation. At the same time, remaining the calmest and most composed person at the event. Balancing on the edge, wouldn't you agree?

Just a job, nothing personal.

If you look from the outside, a job where there is always celebration around you, elegant people, interesting events seems filled only with positive emotions, glamorous life with many accompanying bonuses.

Of course, it cannot be denied that there are advantages in working as an event manager, but at the same time, it is hard work associated with many stressful situations. If you want to leave for home at six in the evening to be with your family and forget about work — then you have come to the wrong place. One of the main features of this profession is the need to be flexible, work as much as necessary to achieve results, and always be available. This applies to preparation. But even then when the event is in full swing, you may not have any time at all to rest, enjoy the program or even eat. Yes, often event managers organize large events not only in different beautiful places but also in different cities and countries. Changing locations, traveling — these are new experiences, great photos on Instagram and that very rich life! But it must be admitted that in reality if you managed to see a new city from a taxi window on your way back to catch your return flight at the airport — that's already a big success. And don't you know how Instagram photos are taken?

High society

Another common opinion about the work of an event manager is numerous acquaintances and friendships with famous people, stars, businessmen, models, musicians. Of course, communication with talented and charismatic personalities, whose creativity and work everyone admires and is inspired by, is very pleasant and valuable. But every event manager has a plethora of stories about often not very pleasant emotions and impressions left by this communication in reserve. Famous people are far from always friendly interlocutors, and even less often easy to work with. But everything that happens behind the scenes remains behind the scenes. And yes, an event manager is a backstage worker. Not an artist and not the main person of the celebration, but a "gray cardinal" whose job is to create a well-coordinated event where all participants will clearly perform their duties, guests will have glasses in their hands, and smiles on their faces.

Dependence on technologies

The lives of many event managers are closely connected with technologies and social networks, creating the feeling that these people are online around the clock. They constantly check their phones and answer calls, emails, and messages on social networks and messengers. This can be very irritating to family and friends, and become a reason for conflicts and accusations of inattentiveness and dependency. But it is important to understand that the need to be online is also part of the job, and sometimes it is necessary to approach this with understanding, and sometimes to suggest to a fellow event manager the idea that one day a month without a laptop and phone would be more effective for them than a week's vacation at the sea.

True professionals do their work at a fantastic level and manage to save time for personal life. Undoubtedly, the specifics of the profession and the character traits necessary for event managers to cope with their work and successfully build a career can interfere with personal life, communication with friends, relatives, parents, and loved ones. In our team, we strive for each event manager to learn to combine an intensive work rhythm with the ability to switch to family and favorite hobbies. After all, it is in this that true professionals draw inspiration to create events that will be remembered as significant, extraordinary, and unforgettable.